Instagram

The Black Man and his Black Dog

Following on from this week’s earlier post on the importance of putting a spotlight on mental health in men, Chama Kay shares with his experiences of struggling with mental illness and navigating the system, culture, and patriarchal expectations along with it.

Suicide is the sole largest killer of British men under the age of 24, 35, and even reportedly 50. We desperately need to keep talking about mental health.

It was a summer’s day in 2012. After a week or so of feeling desperately low, I realised that I was in trouble. I had not necessarily made an attempt on my life, but I was partaking in damaging behaviour and riddled with even more damaging thoughts. I made my way to the A&E department of Queen’s Hospital in Romford. After no less than four hours of waiting, I finally saw the local mental health team – a man and woman…